It’s been hot, it’s dry, and today has been another 100++ day. Frankly, it has been a challenging summer. What we need is good cooling rain. One that says to the earth, I haven’t forgotten you, you are still in my care, come and have a drink. It is the drink required for life to flourish and grow. And what do you know? It rained today! And the temperature dropped. Like a kid, I had to go outside and just stand, letting the cool drops wash off the sweat and dirt from the day’s yard work. I truly felt refreshed and renewed.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes an even more refreshing and renewing experience. Of course, Paul is writing a very serious and deeply theological letter, so it may sound a little more burdensome than refreshing. But refreshing it is! The Apostle writes, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). What Paul is exhorting the Roman Christians and us to do is much like the rain on the dry earth. It brings moisture to our parched souls. We all need the refreshment of drinking from the scriptures, spending time in prayer, and allowing the Holy Spirit to refresh and redeem our minds, bodies, and souls. Let the goodness of God wash away the sweat and dirt from the work of doing life on our own and for ourselves.

We have been given eternal life in Christ, yet we often reject the gift of the life-giving way and will of our God. We mistake our culture for wisdom, our consumerism for joy and our wealth for assurance of our future. We find ourselves like the earth, in a hot and dry summer, desperate for what we don’t know or have forgotten. Do we fear or reject the transformation of our mind and life? As a people, and as individuals, we need to learn again the joy of growing in the spirit, learning the will and ways of life, from the God of all creation. The One who says to the earth and humanity, I haven’t forgotten you, you are still in my care. Come and have a drink, and grow with roots deep in my will and the ways I have for you.

Join us on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. or on Facebook Live, and together, let’s soak in the life-giving and transforming Spirit of the Lord!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick

A scheduling note from Pastor Rick

Tracie and I have some repairs to do on the house in New Mexico before winter arrives. We will be there for a week around the Labor Day weekend. Communion will be moved from the 1st week in September to the second week, September 10th. Austin will preach in my absence on September 3rd.